Common Traps and Skills Needed +(Sample Scripts and Answers)

In this tutorial, we discuss common traps and skills needed including sample scripts and answers.

We look at:

Four strategies for improving your listening skills and achieving higher bands.

Three common traps to identify in IELTS Listening.

Importance of mastering language structures in IELTS.

Understanding the Listening Exam Sections

The IELTS Listening exam is divided into four sections:

* Section 1: A conversation between two people in an everyday social context.

* Section 2: A monologue set in an everyday social context.

* Section 3: A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context.

* Section 4: A monologue on an academic subject.

Each section gets progressively more challenging, testing a range of listening skills.

Scoring Breakdown

Each section contains 10 questions, making a total of 40 questions. Each correct answer earns one mark. These marks are converted into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

Common Question Types

– Multiple Choice

– Matching

– Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling

– Form Completion

– Note Completion

– Table Completion

– Flow-chart Completion

– Summary Completion

Sample IELTS Listening Scripts with Common Traps

1. Script with Contradictory Information

– Contradictory Information: Speakers often provide information and then correct or modify it later. 

Script: “The seminar will be held on March 12th. Oh, wait, I just got an update; it’s actually been rescheduled to March 19th.”

Trap Explanation: Initially, the date given is March 12th, but it is later corrected to March 19th. Test takers need to pay attention to this change, as the correct answer will be the final date mentioned.

2. Script with Paraphrasing

– Paraphrasing: Answers may be paraphrased rather than directly lifted from the audio.

Script: “Our library is renowned for its extensive collection of historical documents, many of which date back several centuries.”

Trap Explanation: The answer might not explicitly say “historical documents”. Instead, it could be paraphrased as “ancient manuscripts” or “old records”. The key is to understand the concept rather than looking for exact words.

3. Script with Distractors

– Distractors: Information that is similar but not exactly what the question asks.

Script: “The art class is available on both Monday and Thursday afternoons, but if you want to attend the advanced session, it’s only on Thursday.”

Trap Explanation: The mention of Monday is a distractor. The focus should be on the day when the ‘advanced session’ is available, which is only on Thursday. This tests the ability to filter relevant information from similar-sounding details.

In each of these examples, the challenge lies in identifying and accurately interpreting the key information amidst potential distractions or modifications in the script.

Preparation Strategies

– Reverse Engineering: Start with answer keys to understand how answers are framed.

– Language Structures Mastery: Recognize common phrases or sentence structures to predict answers. For example, dates are often preceded by phrases like “on the”, “from”, or “until”.

–Mock Exams: Identify weaknesses in different sections and types of questions.

– Transcription Practice: Transcribe audio materials to improve listening accuracy.

– Focused Listening: Pay special attention to linkers,